Evaluation of pesticide effects on humoral response to sheep erythrocytes and mouse hepatitis virus 3 by immunosorbent analysis

Effect of selected organochlorine, organophosphorus, and carbamate pesticides on the humoral immune IgM response was examined upon immunization of inbred C57B1/6 mice with neutral, polyvalent, T-dependent sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and T-independent lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, a pathogenic antigen, mouse hepatitis virus 3 (MHV3) was used for determination for the interaction of selected pesticides on the primary IgG immune response in a model of viral infection, of the genetically resistant A/J mouse strain. Single, sublethal doses of dieldrin, carbofuran, and matacil induced a marked immunosuppression of the humoral responses to both neutral and pathogenic antigens. The data showed that single, sublethal doses (0.4 ≤ LD₅₀ ≤ 0.6) of dieldrin, carbofuran, and matacil inhibited the number of SRBC-primed cells without any direct cytotoxic effect on the activated plasmocyte, as the titer of specific antibody measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) per activated cell, was constant. In contrast, exposure to malathion at 10–14 days prior to the assay increased the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) and the anti-SRBC IgM and anti-MHV3 IgG antibody titer, suggesting therefore an increase in the humoral response to neutral and pathogenic antigens in C57B1/6 and A/J mice. Immunomodulation of the humoral IgM response by selected pesticides was shown to take place at a stage prior to antibody secretion from the activated cell, as the ELISA/PFC index was similar to the control value. The data obtained for dieldrin-induced inhibition of the humoral response to SRBC and LPS antigens suggest a mechanism of immunosuppression common for both T-dependent and T-independent antigens. Good correlations were obtained for the immunomodulatory effects of selected pesticides, as measured by PFC and ELISA, which encourages support for the latter technique in the immunotoxicological screening of pesticides.     

Growth of facultative anaerobic population of human intestinal bacteria with the carbamate pesticide aminocarb

The effect of different concentrations of the carbamate pesticide, aminocarb (Matacil), on the growth and selection of facultative anaerobic bacteria and degradation of the pesticide by human endoflora of the intestinal tract was examined in vitro. Microorganisms were cultured under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, in nutrient broth and mineral media. The intestinal population was more sensitive to 10–1000 μg/ml aminocarb under anaerobic conditions than in aerobic culture; however, spontaneous degradation of aminocarb in media markedly affected the degree of bacterial growth inhibition in prolonged cultures. In addition, the type of culture medium appeared to influence the degree of aminocarb-induced bacterial growth inhibition. A dose of aminocarb inducing 50% growth inhibition was established for different culture conditions: for mineral medium, aminocarb inhibited bacterial growth by 50% at 600 μg/ml under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, whereas less than 50% inhibition was observed even at 1000 μg/ml aminocarb when bacteria were grown in nutrient broth. A selection of bacterial strains occurred in the presence of increasing aminocarb concentrations, which was determined quantitatively and qualitatively by the identification of codominants. A shift in several Escherichia coli biotypes was also observed in cultures with aminocarb, in comparison to control cultures. Bacterial degradation of aminocarb, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, was determined in a mixed population of the intestinal microflora by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of culture media. Data showed that aminocarb can be quickly degraded by human intestinal bacteria at relatively high pesticide concentrations. Moreover, other HPLC data suggest rapid spontaneous degradation of aminocarb in neutral and slightly alkaline pH conditions characteristic of the human intestinal tract, which can effectively eliminate the pesticide. Therefore, aminocarb, at the concentrations used, does not seriously affect the bacterial microflora of the human gut.     

Insecticide Penetration and Symptomology Studies on Larvae of Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Barber)

The internal and external levels of topically applied soil insecticides, tefluthrin, terbufos and dieldrin, to 3rd-instar larvae of the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Barber), were monitored over 48 h. Symptomology of poisoning with 10 times the dose of the larval 72-h LD₉₀ for each chemical was observed over 48 h at various time points after treatment. Terbufos penetrated more rapidly than tefluthrin or dieldrin, although internal levels of tefluthrin and dieldrin had a longer-lasting plateau than terbufos. A 72-h LD₃₀ treatment with tefluthrin resulted in faster penetration and also faster disappearance from the insect compared with the 10×72-h LD₉₀ dose over a 48-h period. Recorded symptoms of poisoning included regurgitation of gut contents, defaecation and writhing and these are suggested to play an important part in voiding of the toxicants at lower (sub-lethal) treatment levels. The sub-lethal effects of tefluthrin are discussed with respect to likely pest behavioural changes, such as anorectic response, after field treatment of a crop. © of SCI.     

Effects of patchouli and wormwood oils on the bioassays and behaviors of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

The fumigation bioassays, the oviposition inhibition and repellent bioassays of patchouli and wormwood oils to T. cinnabarinus were determined in the laboratory with the methods of fumigation and repellency. Ethovision XT6 was used to analyze the effects of two essential oils at sublethal dosages on the behaviors of T. cinnabarinus. Based on the results, compared with wormwood oil, the fumigation bioassay of patchouli oil was stronger against T. cinnabarinus. In a simultaneous fumigation experiment, the effects of patchouli oil on the inhibition of oviposition of T. cinnabarinus were significantly higher (P?<?0.01) than those of wormwood oil at the tested dosages. When T. cinnabarinus was exposed to the two essential oils at LD₁₀, LD₂₀, and LD₃₀, the spontaneous movement tracks of T. cinnabarinus changed significantly, with the highest mobility frequencies at LD₁₀. Moreover, the effects of exposure to patchouli oil on the spontaneous movement abilities of T. cinnabarinus were greater than those on movements following exposure to wormwood oil. Thus, patchouli oil is a promising candidate as a green vegetable, botanical acaricide.     

Response of a red clone of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid in the laboratory and greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Pest resurgence following a pesticide application may occur owing to a stimulatory (hormetic) response to sublethal insecticide concentrations. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for a greenhouse‐derived red clone of Myzus persicae to exhibit resurgence owing to a hormetic response following a systemic imidacloprid treatment in a bell pepper greenhouse. RESULTS: No differences in mortality and fecundity were observed among apterous adults exposed to sublethal imidacloprid concentrations on excised pepper leaves fed aqueous solutions of imidacloprid. Survival of first‐generation progeny was negatively affected by imidacloprid exposure, yet surviving progeny exhibited no differences in development rates or fecundity from progeny of adults unexposed to imidacloprid. Aphid mortality declined most rapidly in clip cages on pepper leaves at the top of the pepper canopy as compared with leaves present at the middle or bottom of the pepper canopy. CONCLUSION: Imidacloprid decays rapidly in mature pepper plants, resulting in sublethal concentrations in the upper canopy in as little as 4 weeks. Sublethal insecticide concentrations have been implicated in the resurgence of pest populations; however, exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid are unlikely to result in pesticide‐induced resurgence of the M. persicae aphid clone examined in this study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A technique for studying the biological efficiency of small droplets of pesticide solutions and a consideration of the implications

A simple bioassay technique is described for small, uniformly-sized droplets of pesticide solutions obtained by use of a microtip spray nozzle. A soluble fluorescent tracer was added to the spraying solution; droplets of the solution were sprayed on leaf discs and counted under a microscope with the aid of an ultraviolet lamp. The technique was used to study the relationships between the number of drops, their size and the dicofol concentration, on the mortality of Tetranychus urticae eggs. LD₅₀ values decreased as the drop size was reduced; the concentration of the pesticide also affected the LD₅₀ values. The technique can be used to study the biological efficiency of ultra-low volume pesticide formulations in the laboratory.     

亚致死剂量氟啶虫胺腈对灰飞虱细胞色素P450的影响

为明确氟啶虫胺腈对灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus细胞色素P450的影响,评估其抗药性风险,采用点滴法、酶活力分析法和实时荧光定量PCR法分别测定了氟啶虫胺腈对灰飞虱的毒性及对其细胞色素P450酶活力和P450基因表达量的影响。结果表明,氟啶虫胺腈对灰飞虱的致死中量LD_(50)随着虫龄的增加而升高,1~5龄若虫的LD_(50)为0.10~0.94 ng/头,雌、雄成虫的LD_(50)分别为1.09 ng/头和1.07 ng/头。氟啶虫胺腈对4龄若虫的亚致死剂量LD_(10)、LD_(30)和LD_(50)分别为0.17、0.41、0.76 ng/头,处理灰飞虱4龄若虫后可将其体内P450酶活力分别显著提高1.60、1.97和1.22倍;而各处理响应的P450基因的种类和数量不同,但相对表达量均受到诱导;CYP4DE1、CYP426A1、CYP303A1、CYP4C、CYP6FK1和CYP4C71v2的相对表达量表现出时间效应,表达量高峰在处理后24 h或48 h。表明不同亚致死剂量的氟啶虫胺腈在特定时间点可提高相应的细胞色素P450基因表达量,从而使酶蛋白量增加,可能导致灰飞虱体内细胞色素P450酶活力上升。     

Photolysis of pesticides: influence of epicuticular waxes from Persica laevis DC on the photodegradation in the solid phase of aminocarb,methiocarb and fenthion

Pesticides with N,N‐dimethyl and thiomethyl moieties (aminocarb, methiocarb and fenthion) were irradiated under artificial light (λ > 290 nm) in an amorphous wax phase from Persica laevis DC. The effect of the presence of the wax on the photolysis rate differed in the three pesticides, increasing it in aminocarb, having little effect in methiocarb and slowing it down in fenthion. The presence of the wax affected the qualitative photodegradation behaviour of all the pesticides. The data obtained were compared with those for pirimicarb, which had been studied earlier. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of dieldrin and isomeric aldrin diols on synaptic transmission in the American cockroach and their relevance to the dieldrin poisoning syndrome

Dieldrin and two of its metabolites, 6,7-trans-dihydroaldrindiol, and 6,7-cis-dihydroaldrindiol, were studied with regard to their toxicity to the American cockroach, effects on ganglia of the ventral nerve cord, and penetration into the ventral nerve cord of poisoned cockroaches. An approximate LD₅₀ for injected doses of dieldrin was 0.45 mg/kg. After injection at 115 mg/kg, the trans isomer of aldrin diol caused about 70%, and the cis isomer about 50% mortality. Injected doses of 40 mg/kg of the three compounds appeared in the ventral nerve cord to the extent of 0.13–0.26% of the doses. Dieldrin was more potent, but slower acting than the diols in causing synaptic after-discharge and elevated spontaneous activity in isolated nerve cords. The results are discussed in relation to other studies on these compounds. It was concluded that, in the American cockroach, dieldrin, rather than either of the diols, is the insecticidal agent in dieldrin poisoning, and that metabolic conversion of dieldrin to the cis and/or trans aldrindiol constitutes a detoxification.     

Studies on the interaction of aminocarb with calf thymus DNA by spectroscopic methods

The interaction between aminocarb and calf thymus DNA in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) was investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and DNA melting techniques. The absorption spectra of aminocarb with DNA showed a slight blue shift and hypochromic effect. Using ethidium bromide (EB) as a fluorescence probe, fluorescence quenching of the emission peak was seen in the DNA-EB system when aminocarb was added. The fluorescence polarization was gradually increased with increasing amounts of DNA. The value of melting temperature of DNA increased in the presence of aminocarb. Moreover, the relative viscosity of DNA increased with the addition of aminocarb. All the evidences indicated that the binding mode of aminocarb with DNA was an intercalative binding. The binding constants of aminocarb with DNA were determined. The calculated thermodynamic parameters suggested that the binding of aminocarb to DNA was driven mainly by hydrogen bond and van der Waals.     

Toxicity of diafenthiuron to honey bees in laboratory,semi‐field and field conditions

BACKGROUND: Cardamom, an important spice crop often attacked by many insect pests, is controlled mainly using synthetic insecticides. As honey bees play a vital role in pollination in cardamom, the impact of insecticides on honey bees needs to be explored to assess its safety. RESULTS: Risk assessment based on contact toxicity revealed diafenthiuron to be a non‐selective insecticide to bees with a low selectivity ratio (the ratio between the LD₅₀ for beneficial and pest species). A dose of diafenthiuron that killed 90% of cardamom borer, Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee, was found to kill 100% of Indian bees. Based on the hazard ratio (the ratio between the field‐recommended dose and the LD₅₀ for the beneficial), diafenthiuron was found to be slightly to moderately toxic to bees. Diafenthiuron, even at low concentrations of LC₁ (the concentration that killed 1% of bees), was found to affect the foraging and homing behaviour of Indian bees. Of bees fed with 30 µg mL^?1 of diafenthiuron, 40% were found missing on the third day after exposure. However, diafenthiuron did not affect bee visits to the cardamom fields. CONCLUSION: Diafenthiuron is more highly toxic to Apis cerana indica F. than to C. punctiferalis by contact, using selectivity ratio and probit substitution methods of risk assessment, but the hazard ratio revealed diafenthiuron to be a slightly to moderately toxic chemical. Diafenthiuron was found to affect the foraging and homing behaviour of bees at sublethal concentrations. Thus, sublethal effects are more relevant in risk assessment than lethal and acute effects. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cholecalciferol-induced bait shyness in possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) is used in a variety of bait formulations to control populations of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), an introduced pest that seriously damages and threatens primary production and native biota in New Zealand. In cage trials, possums readily ate sublethal baits containing either an estimated LD₁₅ or LD₄₀ dose of cholecalciferol, leading to a depression of appetite that lasted for 7-15 days. When lethal quantities of baits were presented 21-30 days after the initial LD₁₅ or LD₄₀ baits, 40 and 88% of possums survived, respectively, compared with a 21% survival rate among naive possums, and bait consumption was also reduced among survivors of the initial baits. Subsequent switching of the bait base to a gel was partially successful in overcoming bait shyness, killing 40% of one group (formed by pooling the original groups), while switching both the bait type (to gel) and the toxicant (to 1080) resulted in a 63% mortality rate in a second group. By comparison, 95 and 100% of naive groups were killed by cholecalciferol and 1080 gel respectively. Practical measures are identified for both avoiding and overcoming bait shyness based on the use of alternative bait types and toxicants.     

A gas-liquid chromatographic method to determine size spectra of droplets of an aerially applied non-volatile spray mix deposited on kromekote® cards

A non-volatile oil-based spray mix of a low-vapour-pressure insecticide, aminocarb, containing an oil-soluble red dye was applied at a dosage rate of 70 g AI in 1-5 litre ha^?1, using a fixed wing aircraft equipped with four ?Micronair’?® AU3000 atomizers, over a 1000 × 500 m spray block selected in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. Spray was applied twice, at an interval of five days, to provide a total dosage rate of 140 g AI in 3.0 litre ha^?1. Spray mass recovery was assessed on glass plates and droplets were collected on ?Kromekote’?® cards, both at ground level. The stain sizes were grouped into different categories. The area containing the stains was excised, and the aminocarb present was quantified by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The mass of aminocarb per droplet in each stain size category was evaluated. From the mass, the spherical droplet diameter (d), number and volume median diameters (D_N.5 and D_v.5 respectively), a new parameter [mass (of aminocarb) median diameter] (D_M.5), and the droplet size spectra were calculated. The D_M.5 for the first application was 56 μm, which was identical to the D_v.5. whereas the D_N.5 was smaller at 45 μm. The corresponding values for the second application were: D_M.5 = D_v.5 = 63 μm, but the D_N.5 was 53 μm. Because the spray mix was non-volatile, all the droplet size spectra parameters were identical both at spray release height and at ground level. The present study has provided, for the first time in the literature, a novel method to determine directly the spherical diameters of the droplets deposited on artificial samplers, without having to go through the tedious procedures of spread factor measurements under laboratory conditions. In fact, the present study has made it possible to calculate spread factors under field conditions, by using the stain diameters measured and the spherical diameters calculated from the aminocarb concentration levels.     

噻虫嗪对白背飞虱试验种群繁殖力的亚致死效应

为探究噻虫嗪对白背飞虱的亚致死效应,采用稻茎浸渍法以噻虫嗪亚致死浓度LC_(10)和LC_(25)胁迫白背飞虱3龄若虫,测定了F_0代和F_1代若虫的存活率、雌成虫寿命和产卵量,并组建了F_1代种群相对适合度生命表。结果表明,经噻虫嗪亚致死浓度胁迫后,F_0代白背飞虱若虫的发育历期延长,存活率降低,并且LC_(10)处理组的F_0代雌成虫寿命比对照组显著延长,而成虫产卵量无显著变化;F_1代的若虫发育历期比对照组显著延长,且产卵量有所减少,LC_(10)处理组雌成虫产卵量比对照组减少了22.24,LC_(25)处理组比对照组减少了69.96,且差异显著;LC_(10)和LC_(25)亚致死浓度处理后F_1代的种群增长趋势指数均下降,种群相对适合度分别下降了0.12和0.36。研究表明,噻虫嗪亚致死浓度胁迫均可抑制白背飞虱的种群增长。     

Effect of60Co gamma radiation on the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

The effect of gramma radiation on the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.) was studied. Adults were subjected to 12 doses ranging from 0 to 180 Gy of gamma radiation from a⁶⁰Co source. The time to onset of death and the duration of the period of mortality were investigated. Survival of the adults was decreased with increase of the doses. LD₅₀ and LD_99,9 values were calculated.With one figure and one table     

杀鼠嘧啶作为灭鼠剂的生物学评价

杀鼠嘧啶(crimidin)的靶谱广,0.1～0.4%毒饵的接受性和灭鼠效果与1.5%氟乙酰胺相当。该药的优势特性是蓄积毒性微弱,对非靶动物不易引起二次中毒,维生素B_6对它的解毒能力(完全保护)可达30LD_(50)。所以,杀鼠嘧啶具备接替氟乙酰胺等有机氟化合物消灭野鼠的基本条件。但作为人为化学毒物引入自然界的生态学效应还要深入研究。     

Characteristics and implications of knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans westw. by deltamethrin

Low doses of deltamethrin cause prolonged knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans. Fifty per cent of female flies, treated with the LD₁₅-(48 h) of deltamethrin, failed to regain their capacity for normal flight for 30 h, compared with 6 h for bioresmethrin and 4 h for permethtin at the equivalent dose. Recovery after exposure to tetramethrin occurred within 1 h. The knockdown effect of deltamethrin on males was even more pronounced although, with both sexes, the onset of the effect was delayed for about 3 h. It is suggested that this prolonged knockdown effect of deltamethrin, at extremely low application rates, may make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the compound against the tsetse fly.     

Inoculation

Terpenes and biogenically related phenols commonly found in plant essential oils are known to be toxic to insect pests. Accordingly thymol was tested for acute toxicity via topical application to diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and its parasitoid, Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjunov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae under laboratory conditions. Topical application to adult female parasitoids versus second instars of P. xylostella showed that thymol was about 62 times less toxic to the parasitoid than to the host larvae with 24 h LD₅₀ of 0.052 and 0.0008M, respectively. Although thymol was less toxic to the parasitoid, some biological parameters of the progeny at sublethal doses of surviving parasitoids were impaired such as rate of emergence and development time of larvae and pupae. The impact on detoxification enzymes was also studied and there was no significant induction in cytochrome P450 and carboxylesterase activities in both treated male and female wasps. Results obtained suggest that parasitoid is able to withstand the impact of thymol significantly.     

Selection for abamectin resistance in colorado potato beetle (coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

There was no difference in dose response to abamectin between a laboratory strain of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))from North Carolina and a multiple resistant strain from Massachusetts (LD₅₀= 1.95 and 1.98 ng larva^?1, respectively). Two abamectin-resistant strains were generated by separate means. The mutagen, ethyl methanesulfonate, was used to generate an abamectin-resistant strain (LD₅₀= 29.4 ng larva^?1) from the susceptible laboratory strain. The other resistant strain (LD₅₀ = 45.3 ng larva^?1) was generated through an intense selection with abamectin of a field strain contained in cages set up in existing potato fields. Resistance ratios calculated from LD₅₀values for the two abamectin-resistant strains were 15-fold and 23-fold, respectively. Resistance ratios calculated from LD₉₇values (21-fold and 38-fold, respectively) were higher than those calculated at LD₅₀. Also, there were larvae in both resistant strains which were capable of surviving doses up to 100 ng larva^?1, while the susceptible strain had no survivors at 10 ng larva^?1. Although the logit mortality regression analysis produced statistically different lines for the two abamectin-resistant strains, the slopes of each appear to be the same. Both resistance factors were determined to be autosomal and incompletely recessive (0.26 to 0.4, respectively) via reciprocal F₁crosses to the susceptible laboratory strain.     

An Insecticidal and Acaricidal Polysulfide Metabolite from the Roots of Petiveria alliacea

The present study reports on the insecticidal and acaricidal potentials of dibenzyltrisulfide (DBTS) isolated from the roots of Petiveria alliacea L. using thin layer and high performance liquid chromatography. The 96-h LD₅₀ value (μg per tick) obtained for adult Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) topically treated with DBTS was 0·920. The LD₅₀ values obtained for three commercial acaricides dimethoate, lindane and carbaryl were 4·6, 9·3 and 6·9 μg per tick respectively. The IOD₅₀ and IHD₅₀ (concentrations inhibiting egg laying and hatching by 50% respectively) in μg per tick doses for DBTS were 0·22 and 0·24 respectively. The 24-h LD₅₀ dose (μg per insect) obtained for DBTS on adult Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summer) was 0·193 μg per insect. The vapour from a stock solution of 5 g litre^-1 of DBTS was highly toxic to adult Hypothenemus hampei Ferr. inside coffee berries, inflicting 89% mortality within 24 h. © 1997 SCI.